Packaging for electronic components, especially for tape-n-reels

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a packaging for electronic components or for carriers of electronic components and especially for tape-n-reels, with the packaging comprising a recess—limited by a wall—for the accommodation of the component, as well as mounts, spaced apart in circumferential direction and projecting towards the recess opposite the wall, by means of which a component accommodated in the recess can be fixed.

This invention relates to a packaging for the accommodation of electronic components or of carriers of electronic components and especially of tape-n-reels.

Packagings for electronic components have, inter alia, the essential function of protecting such components against shocks and vibrations to the best possible extent to prevent any damage to the electronic components. Known packagings for electronic components consist, for example, of Styrofoam which surrounds the electronic component in the form of shells or in the form of fillers. Furthermore, packagings of cardboard or plastic are known which surround the electronic component entirely or at least partially.

The invention is based on the objective of further developing a packaging for the accommodation of electronic components such that it will particularly effectively protect against damages the electronic component accommodated therein.

This problem will be solved by a packaging with the features of claim 1. It is accordingly provided that the packaging comprises a recess—limited by a wall—for the accommodation of the component, as well as mounts, spaced apart in circumferential direction and projecting towards the recess opposite the wall, by means of which a component accommodated in the recess can be fixed. The mounts will accommodate between themselves the electronic component which can possibly even comprise its own packaging, and they are preferably designed such that the component will rest without clearance between the mounts. Due to the fact that the mounts project towards the inside, the component accommodated between the mounts will not be arranged in the outer marginal area of the packaging but set back towards the inside, which—in combination with the buffering property of the mount—will result in an effective protection of the accommodated component against damage.

Preferably, the mounts are uniformly distributed in circumferential direction on the wall of the recess. For example, four or also fewer or more than four mounts can be provided.

A further embodiment of the invention provides that the section of the wall lying between the mounts is designed smoothly or comprises one projection or a plurality of projections. The projections can comprise a starting area and an end area which is spaced apart from the starting area in the circumferential direction of the wall, with the end area of the projections projecting further into the recess than its starting area. This will result, in the top view of the packaging, in an essentially saw-tooth profile which is formed by the projections located between the mounts. One, two, or even more than two projections can be arranged between the mounts. In their end area, the projections can project just as far into the recess as the mounts. Preferably, however, they are set back in their end area versus the mounts. The wall section located between the mounts is preferably used for the accommodation of packaging material which is accommodated together with the electronic component in the packaging according to the invention.

The area of the projections located between the starting and the end area can be planar or curved in design, that means the projections can have planar or curved flanks.

Another embodiment of the invention provides that the packaging comprises a bottom and that the recesses comprise a base area oriented towards the bottom and an upper side spaced apart from the bottom, and the recesses being inclined such that the base area projects further into the recess than the upper side. In such an embodiment of the invention, the projections thus do not stand perpendicularly on the bottom of the packaging but are slightly inclined towards the outside. However the invention principally also comprises an oppositely oriented inclination as well as an embodiment wherein the wall with mounts and projections stands perpendicularly on the bottom which forms the underside of the recess.

Furthermore can be provided that the packaging comprises a bottom part and a cover part with one or both of the parts comprising one lug or a plurality of lugs and the other or both of the parts comprising one recess or a plurality of recesses for the accommodation of the lugs. The bottom part and the cover part can thus be connected with each other via a plug connection.

It is especially preferable when the lugs as well as the recesses are located in the area of the bottom part or the cover part in which the mounts are located.

Another embodiment of the invention provides that the packaging comprises a bottom and that the mounts comprise a base area oriented towards the bottom of the packaging and an upper side spaced apart from the bottom. It can be provided that the lugs as well as the recesses are arranged on the upper side of the mounts. When the lugs and the recesses are alternately provided and bottom and cover part are identical in design, the cover part merely needs to be turned by 90° so that the corresponding lugs and recesses can each be plugged into each other.

The mounts can be inclined such that their base area will project less far into the recess than their upper side. That means the mounts are inclined towards the recess starting from their base area.

The mounts and/or the projections can extend over the entire height or one part of the height of the wall of the recess. It is thus not necessary that the mounts and projections extend over the entire height of the wall although this is one preferred embodiment of the invention.

Another embodiment of the invention provides that the packaging comprises a bottom and that one knob or a plurality of knobs projecting towards the recess will be arranged in the bottom. These knobs present the support for the component to be accommodated in the packaging in the bottom area. That means the component is fixed by the knobs on the one hand and by the mounts on the other hand. The knobs also provide a buffer absorbing shocks and vibrations. Moreover, they render it possible that the area between the knobs will be used to accommodate a packaging material or e.g. a desiccant which is to be accommodated, together with the electronic component, in the packaging according to the invention.

The knobs can be differently arranged. It is conceivable, for example, that the knobs are arranged in the form of a circle or in the form of two or more than two preferably concentric circles.

As already explained above, one preferred embodiment of the invention consists of the bottom part and the cover part being identical in design. This will result in the manufacture of the packaging being comparatively simple and the bottom as well as the cover offering the same good protection for the component accommodated in the packaging.

Another embodiment of the invention provides that the packaging comprises not only a bottom part and a cover part but that, moreover, an intermediate layer arranged between them will be provided. The intermediate layer is preferably essentially planar in design. The intermediate layer can comprise a basic body and projections extending from it and spaced in circumferential direction of the basic body. These projections can be used, an the one hand, to fix the intermediate layer relative to the bottom part and the cover part; and, on the other hand, to offer an additional fixation and a protection of the electronic component accommodated in the packaging. With the intermediate layer used, the projections of the intermediate layer can rest on the projections which are provided between the mounts on the wall of the recess.

Another embodiment of the invention provides that the projections extend alternately from the upper side and the underside of the basic body.

To prevent any unintentional loosening of the bottom part from the cover part, it can be provided that the packaging furthermore comprises an interlock by means of which both parts can be fixed to each other.

The interlock can be designed such that the bottom part and/or the cover part comprises a movable strap which can be accommodated in a recess in the other of the parts, with the strap comprising a rib and a subsequent mounting area which has a larger diameter or, respectively, larger dimensions than the rib, with the recess having a diameter or a dimension which is below that of the mounting area. The recess is preferably followed by a slit through which the rib can be guided for unlocking or, respectively, locking until the mounting area is accommodated in the recess or, respectively, removed from it.

The interlock is preferably provided in the area of the mounts.

Another embodiment of the invention can provide that a collar is attached to the wall surrounding the recess, said collar extending perpendicularly or essentially perpendicularly from the wall towards the outside. In the top view, the collar can form the outside contour of the packaging, that means it can form—in the circumferential direction—that part of the packaging projecting the farthest with an additional impact protection being realized thereby.

The packaging preferably consists of a plastically deformable material, preferably of polypropylene. Other materials can also principally be used.

The invention finally relates to the use of a packaging according to any one of the claims 1 to 25 for the accommodation of electronic components or of carriers of electronic components and especially of tape-n-reels.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bottom part as well as the cover part is stackable into each other when empty.

Additional details and advantages of the invention will be explained in detail on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing. In the Figures:

FIG. 1 shows the packaging according to the invention in an exploded view;

FIG. 2: the packaging according to the invention in assembled condition; and

FIG. 3: the bottom part of the packaging according to the invention with the tape-n-reel accommodated therein.

FIG. 1 shows the packaging according to the invention, consisting of the bottom part 100, the intermediate layer 105 and the cover part 110. The bottom part 100 and the cover part 110 are identical in design.

The bottom part 100 and thus analogously the cover part 110 as well comprise an essentially planar bottom 50 which is surrounded by a circumferential wall 10. The bottom 50 as well as the wall 10 delimits a recess 20 for the accommodation of an electronic component. In the exemplary embodiment here shown, the packaging is used for the accommodation of a tape-n-reel. The wall 10 does not stand perpendicularly on the bottom 50 but is inclined in sections in different directions relative to the vertical, as will yet be explained below in further detail. Spaced apart in circumferential direction, the wall 10 comprises four mounts 30 which are each spaced apart by 90°. The mounts 30 comprise a base area 32 which forms the transition area between bottom 50 and the mount 30. The mounts 30 comprise a front side inclined towards the recess 20, as well as side surfaces. The front side of the mount 30 is inclined such that, in its base area 32, it projects less far into the recess 20 than in the area adjacent to its upper side 34.

Instead of the four mounts 30 shown in the Figure, fewer or more than four mounts can also be provided, of course. Between two mounts 30 each, two projections 40 each are arranged which comprise a starting area 41 as well as an end area 42 which are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the wall. It is here provided that the end areas 42 project further into the recess 20 than the starting areas 41 so that a saw-tooth profile will result in the top view of the bottom part 100. The walls of the projections 40 between starting area 41 and end area 42 are curved in design. The projections 40 increase the rigidity of the packaging and moreover provide an additional buffer area which, in case of a shock, will absorb energy through plastic deformation and thus protect the electronic component.

The wall of the projections 40 which extends between the starting area 41 and the end area 42 is also inclined versus the vertical towards the bottom 50, such that the base area 43 projects further into the recess 20 than the edge oriented towards the upper side 44 of the projections 40. It results from this that the projections 40 have an oppositely oriented inclination versus the mounts 30.

The section between two mounts 30 each is not only used for the accommodation of projections 40 but also enables the accommodation of packaging material which is accommodated, as needed, together with the electronic component in the packaging according to the invention.

As FIG. 1 shows furthermore, the bottom area 50 has a plurality of knobs 80 which project towards the inside, that is, towards the recess 20. These knobs provide further protection of the electronic component against vibrations or damages, respectively. They present the support for the electronic component versus the bottom 50.

The area of the upper side 34 of the mounts 30 is provided with alternately projecting lugs 60 and setback recesses 70 which are used for the connection of the bottom part 100 with the cover part 110. If both parts are to be connected with each other, the cover part 110 is to be rotated, relative to the bottom part 100, such that its lugs 60 are accommodated in recesses 70 of the bottom part 100. At the same time, the lugs 60 of the bottom part 100 are accommodated in the recesses 70 of the cover part 110.

The bottom part 100 according to the invention or, respectively, the cover part 110 offers at the same time good protection against damages of the component. The mounts 30 inclined towards the inside not only have a buffer effect but, due to their inclination, they fix the electronic component especially well in the recess 20 so that it will rest completely, as far as possible, on the knobs 80 of the bottom 50.

The packaging shown in FIG. 1 is used for the accommodation of two tape-n-reels, one of which is accommodated in the bottom part 100 and one in the cover part 110. Between these two parts and, respectively, the reels accommodated therein, the intermediate layer 105 is provided which comprises an essentially planar basic body 106 as well as projections 107 protruding from it. As shown in FIG. 1, outside offset projections 107 and inside offset projections 107′ are provided with the outside offset projections 107 resting against the projections 40 of the bottom part 100 or, respectively, the cover part 110, and thus fixing the intermediate layer on the bottom part 100 or, respectively, the cover part 110. Furthermore, the projections 107 are used to secure the electronic component. The projections 107 and 107′ alternately extend towards the top and towards the bottom, as shown in FIG. 1.

Like the knobs 80 of the bottom 50, the inside projections 107′ are forming buffers acting on the upper side or underside of the electronic component and are also used for the fixation of the component as well as for its protection against vibrations. The intermediate layer 105 comprises four recesses 108 spaced apart in circumferential direction for the accommodation of the projections 60.

On the bottom part 100 as well as the cover part 110, the collar 90 extends essentially perpendicularly to the wall 10 and thus essentially parallel to the bottom 50, said collar forming the outside contour of the bottom part 100 and of the cover part 110.

The packaging according to the subject invention preferably consists of a plastically deformable material which, in case of an impact, will absorb the shock energy by plastic deformation and not by elastic deformation if at all possible. Polypropylene or impact-modified polypropylene is used, for example.

FIG. 2 shows the packaging according to the invention in assembled condition.

This presentation also shows clearly that the circumferential collar 90 projects towards the outside and thus offers impact protection in case of an impact on the narrow side of the packaging.

FIG. 3 finally shows the bottom part 110 with a tape-n-reel accommodated therein.

In the top view, the packaging according to the invention can be circular or even polygonal, e.g. hexagonal in design. It is produced by means of deep drawing. 

1. Packaging for electronic components or for carriers of electronic components and especially for tape-n-reels, with the packaging comprising a recess limited by a wall for the accommodation of the component, as well as mounts, spaced apart in circumferential direction and projecting towards the recess opposite the wall, by means of which a component accommodated in the recess can be fixed.
 2. Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that a section of the wall lying between the mounts is designed smoothly or comprises one projection or a plurality of projections.
 3. Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that a section of the wall lying between the mounts comprises one projection or a plurality of projections which comprises a starting area and an end area which is spaced apart from the starting area in the circumferential direction of the wall, with the end area of the projections projecting further into the recess than its starting area.
 4. Packaging according to claim 3, characterized in that the area of the projections located between the starting area and the end area is planar or curved in design.
 5. Packaging according to claim 2, characterized in that the packaging comprises a bottom and that the recess comprise a base area oriented towards the bottom and an upper side spaced apart from the bottom, and the recess being inclined such that the base area projects further into the recess the upper side.
 6. Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the packaging comprises a bottom part and a cover part with one or both of the parts comprising one lug or a plurality of lugs and the other or both of the parts comprising one recess or a plurality of recesses for the accommodation of the lugs.
 7. Packaging according to claim 6, characterized in that the lugs as well as the recesses are located in the area of the bottom part or the cover part in which the mounts are located.
 8. Packaging according to claim 7, characterized in that the packaging comprises a bottom and that the mounts comprise a base area oriented towards the bottom of the packaging and an upper side spaced apart from the bottom.
 9. Packaging according to claim 7, characterized in that the lugs as well as the recesses are arranged on the upper side of the mounts.
 10. Packaging according to claim 8, characterized in that the lugs and the recesses are alternately provided.
 11. Packaging according to claim 8, characterized in that the mounts are inclined such that their base area projects less far into the recess than their upper side.
 12. Packaging according to claim 2, characterized in that the mounts and/or the projections extend over the entire height or one part of the height of the wall of the recess.
 13. Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the packaging comprises a bottom and that one knob or a plurality of knobs projecting towards the recess are arranged in the bottom.
 14. Packaging according to claim 13, characterized in that the knobs are arranged in the form of a circle or in the form of two or more than two concentric circles.
 15. Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the packaging comprises a bottom part and a cover part and that both parts are identical in design.
 16. Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the packaging comprises a bottom part and a cover part as well as an intermediate layer arranged between them.
 17. Packaging according to claim 16, characterized in that the intermediate layer comprises a basic body and projections extending from it and spaced in circumferential direction of the basic body.
 18. Packaging according to claim 17, characterized in that the projections of the intermediate layer rest on the projections which are provided between the mounts on the wall of the recess.
 19. Packaging according to claim 17, characterized in that the projections extend alternately from the upper side and the underside of the basic body.
 20. Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the packaging comprises a bottom part and a cover part and that an interlock is provided by means of which the bottom part and the cover part can be locked to each other.
 21. Packaging according to claim 20, characterized in that the bottom part and/or the cover part comprises a movable strap which can be accommodated in a recess in the other of the parts, with the strap comprising a rib and a subsequent mounting area which has a larger diameter than the rib, and with the recess having a diameter which is below that of the mounting area.
 22. Packaging according to claim 20, characterized in that the interlock is preferably arranged in the area of the mounts.
 23. Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that a collar connects to the wall surrounding the recess, said collar extending perpendicularly or essentially perpendicularly from the wall towards the outside.
 24. Packaging according to claim 23, characterized in that the collar forms, in the top view, the outside contour of the packaging.
 25. Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the packaging consists of a plastically deformable material, preferably of polypropylene.
 26. Use of a packaging according to claim 1 for the accommodation of electronic components or of carriers of electronic components and especially of tape-n-reels. 